Judge Henry Globe QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, sentenced him to nine months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered him to be supervised by the Probation Service during the suspension period.

Judge Globe told him: “You conducted yourself in such a way and to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of public trust in your position as a police officer.

“The public are entitled to expect the highest standard of behaviour by those in public office.

“Your behaviour fell far below that standard. You brought discredit and dishonour to the police force.”